For decades, scientists believed the Arctic Ocean was sealed nether a monolithic slab of crystal during the coldest crystal ages — but caller probe proves otherwise. Sediment samples from the seafloor, paired with cutting-edge clime simulations, amusement that the Arctic really remained partially open, with seasonal oversea crystal allowing beingness to past successful the harshest climates. Traces of past algae, thriving lone erstwhile airy and h2o mix, uncover that the portion was ne'er a frozen tomb. This find not lone reshapes our knowing of Earth’s past but offers captious clues astir however the Arctic — and our satellite — whitethorn respond to clime extremes ahead.